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E-Link Newsletter
News from Metropolitan Community Church of Austin
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 July 13, 2011
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From Your Pastor
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I've been accused of using 20 words when 2 will do, of not knowing when to stop talking, and as of last night, of monopolizing the time when I'm paired with a prayer partner...Alas, I might be guilty! No one can accuse me of that today, though. I've got something of HUGE importance to share with you and I'll get right to it.
On this Sunday, July 17, and next Sunday, July 24, you're invited to something special. This Sunday, the sermon will be about YOU. Because it is about YOU, it will be beautiful and inspiring. I am not joking. Please, make every effort to be here.
Next Sunday, our Board of Directors will host a congregational forum immediately following the 11:00 service. This will be the most important meeting our congregation has had since you voted on a new senior pastor in 2008. Another important note: These two events--worship this week and the after-worship meeting next week--need to be understood as halves of a whole. To receive maximum effect, you will want to attend both.
How's that for brevity? I didn't even need the "Continued" box...
Always in Hope,
Rev. Karen Thompson
Senior Pastor
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What's Happening at MCC Austin
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July
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Sunday Morning Worship*
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July 17 at 9:00 and 11:00 a.m.
"Is That in the Bible? Money is the Root of all Evil"
Rev. Karen Thompson
Psalm 126
When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then it was said among the nations, "The Lord has done great things for them."The Lord has done great things for us, and we rejoiced. Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like the watercourses in the Negeb. May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy. Those who go out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, carrying their sheaves. *Please note: Sign Language Interpretation will not be available during the month of July. Beginning in August, interpretation for the 11:00 service will be available upon request. Please send an email to Courtney Webster in the church office to request it. Back to Top |
| Notes from the Board of Directors | |  Our treasurer, Debbie, has been working valiantly to create new financial charts to be posted and shared with the congregation.
Over these last few months, she has worked hours on new formats only to be told by one board member or another, "I think the chart should show this instead." Imagine the cartoon that depicts a husband balanced precariously on a ladder, holding an obviously heavy picture frame against the wall, with a hammer in one hand and a nail in his mouth. The other husband is standing across the room, hand on hip, saying, "A little up...no, to the right...Actually, I think it'd look better on the other wall."
Finally, still being patient with us but showing signs of wear, Debbie asked, "What is it you want from these charts?"
Of course we didn't offer her a single answer. We each offered several. The result was our realization that we wanted a simple chart that would communicate to non-board members all the vital information and all the nuances of our past, present, and trending financial situation.
After we established that, we also established that we wanted the congregation to actually read the chart, to understand it, and to respond appropriately to its information.
Ultimately, we realized that what we were trying to do was roughly comparable to the fable of the seven blind people trying to describe an elephant. The result of all this is that the Board will be communicating financial information to the congregation in a new--and we trust helpful and effective--format beginning next month.
Starting on Sunday, August 14, financial updates will be available to you after our worship services. The information will contain both a graphic and a narrative account of our finances. Additionally, each update will include your Frequently Asked Questions.
The Board is excited about this and many other innovations we're working on that will help MCC Austin to continue to grow in our shared ministry. If you have questions, we welcome you to submit them to treasurer@mccaustin.com.
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Fundraising Planning Session | |  This Sunday, July 17 at 1:30 p.m. at MCC Austin New Year's Eve Party Planning Session David Ferguson is searching for individuals who would like to plan and organize MCC Austin's next fundraising event. The Board of Directors have approved a New Year's Eve Party and we will be inviting everyone in Austin and surrounding communities to attend this fun and exciting party. Please be aware that the planning and organizing of this fundraising event may require a moderate amount of your time and energy, so if you are interested in being a part of this team, please plan on attending a meeting at the church on Sunday, July 17, at 1:30 p.m. Back to Top |
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| Sunday School Notice | |  Sunday School will NOT be held during the months of July and August. The teachers look forward to seeing everyone return in September! |
| Red Carpet Ministry Luncheon | |  July 17, 2011
After 11 a.m. service
At Tres Amigos
This is a great opportunity for visitors to meet members, old timers to meet visitors, and for everyone to have a good time.
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Sunday Morning Study Group
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JT Hicks is leading a study on the 12 Steps of AA through the lens of scripture. The group meets from 9:30 to 10:30 in the Wray Education building. The class is a diverse group of singles & couples, aged 30s-70s. The class is discussion based & informal. Come join us...there's room for you!
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Show Your Pride! Pride Planning Group
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Austin Pride is Saturday, September 10 and MCC Austin will march in the parade and have a booth at the festival. If you're interested in helping out with our group, please email Pastor Alycia or call her in the church office (291-8601). Help us spread the word of God's love to Austinites who haven't heard of us! Back to Top |
| KUT: Same-sex Parents in Texas | | 
This story was posted yesterday on KUT's website and it features the Lutes-Stein family from our congregation:
By Yimou Lee for KUT and Reporting Texas
The televised celebrations surrounding the recent legalization of same-sex marriage in New York have once again put the spotlight on families headed by same-sex parents. It might come as a surprise to you that here in Texas, where a constitutional amendment has defined marriage as being only between a man and a woman, there are more same-sex parents than in many other parts of the country, including New York. Continue reading here...
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| Our Prayers... | |
- For all Central Texans who do not have air conditioning and are dealing with the high temperatures.
- For all still recovering from tornadoes, floods, earthquakes and other recent natural disasters.
- For our GLBT brothers and sisters around the world who live in fear of violence and discrimination because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
- For our church as we discern next steps for our building and/or building search process.
- For all who have cancer, or are in remission from it, and their loved ones.
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| Beyond Our Walls: Community News & Events | | |
A Night of Bowling
Saturday, July 23 · 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. at Dart Bowl (5700 Grover Ave.)
Come out and join Austin's gay bowlers, the Austin Gamblers, for an evening of fun and prizes.Fun for bowlers and bowler wanabees of all ages, shapes, sizes, you get the picture. A NO TAP - 9 pins down on first ball gets you a strike! Prizes, 50/50 raffle, and much more. $20 for 3 games of fun and a donation to our charities. Let's fill the house.
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TransTexas Monthly - July 2011
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